WizKids Games

WizKids was founded in 2000 by Jordan Weisman, previously of FASA, to publish Mage Knight. Mage Knight was the first collectible miniatures game. The pieces incorporated a dial in the base that showed each piece's statistics. Those statistics changed as the piece took damage. Early employees joining Jordan in this endevor were his wife Dawne, who led the company's graphic design; his father Mort, who ran international sales; his brother-in-law Ray, who ran domestic sales; and Jenny (Trisko) Berg, previously of Bungie, who was in charge of marketing.

In 2001 the company went from being "virtual" to having its own office in Bellevue, WA. Employees had previously been spread through Washington, Illinois, and Missouri. Mage Knight was selling as fast as it could be made, and the company moved into the hobby's list of 10 largest publishers. The employee count went up to over 30, including Don Gorski, COO; Tom Virgin, CFO; and Martin A. Stever, Executive V.P.

In 2002, the company introduced its most popular game, HeroClix. The staff grew to over 50.

In 2003, the company was sold to Topps.

In 2007 Topps was sold to a private equity group led by Michael Eisner, former CEO of Disney.

In November 2008 Topps closed WizKids on short notice.

In September 2009 WizKids was purchased by NECA.

Awards Received 2010

Origins Award for Best Miniature Figure or Line – Marvel HeroClix Hammer of Thor Expansion, designed by Eric Englehard, Kelly Bonilla, Jake Theis & James Szubski

Awards Received 2007

Origins Award for CCG or Expansion of the Year Pirates: Davy Jones' Curse, designed by Mike Mulvihill

Origins Hall of Fame - Mage Knight Origins Award - Pirates of the Spanish Main - 2005 Vanguard Award Hobby Outlook Game of the Year - MechWarrior Age of Destruction Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence - Pirates of the Spanish Main